TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Latin vs. Germanic From:Bill Burns <BillDB -at- ILE -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 1 Aug 1997 10:25:28 -0600
Alessandro writes:
> A few examples of english/italian "false friends":
> "actually" is very similar to "attualmente", that means "currently"
> "eventually" is very similar to "eventualmente", that means "in
> case..."
> "terrific" is very similar to "terrificante", that means "awfull"
>
These terms are referred to as cognates. The word pairs have the same
linguistic roots, but their meanings have diverged since the terms were
borrowed from Latin through amelioration, pejoration, or some other
semantic shifting.
For some audiences, etymological distinctions such as Anglo-Saxon vs.
Latinate are less helpful. Nonetheless, I find that my simplist, most
direct writing has few Latinate terms.
Bill Burns
Technical Writer
ILE Communications Group
billdb -at- ile -dot- com
TECHWR-L (Technical Communication) List Information: To send a message
to 2500+ readers, e-mail to TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU -dot- Send commands
to LISTSERV -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU (e.g. HELP or SIGNOFF TECHWR-L).
Search the archives at http://www.documentation.com/ or search and
browse the archives at http://listserv.okstate.edu/archives/techwr-l.html
